Oklahoma president makes ironic admission on Lincoln Riley blindside

According to Oklahoma president Joe Harroz, Lincoln Riley didn’t give his two weeks notice. Harroz, like most, was shocked to learn of Riley’s departure for USC just one day following the conclusion of the regular season.

“Obviously, you wish these events wouldn’t happen,” Harroz said in a Monday press conference. “He made a personal decision. Were we disappointed? Absolutely. That disappointment lasts until you realize that you now have to move forward. We would have liked more notice. We were surprised by it yesterday. That was his decision and you can only impact those things you can control. … He left, Joe and I looked at each other and said that was a surprise, now let’s get to work.”

The Sooners went scrambling to find a new coach, announcing legendary coach Bob Stoops would serve in the interim. Several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, also left with Riley.

Additionally, Oklahoma has already seen coveted players decommit from its recruiting classes. That includes 2023 recruits five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss and four-star running back Treyaun Webb.

Harroz and the Sooners likely won’t find much sympathy when it comes to “more notice.” Many were quick to point out the school leaders didn’t give the Big 12 much notice when they bolted for the SEC this offseason. Both Oklahoma and Texas are scheduled to join the league by at least 2025.

Rumors had been swirling around Riley and OU for the past few weeks, though many expected the coach to leave for the LSU opening. But just minutes after Bedlam, the coach put those reports to rest in his postgame press conference.

“Let me stop you right there,” Riley said. “I’m not going to be the next coach at LSU. Next question.”

Although what the coach said was technically true, many Sooners faithful feel misled by Lincoln Riley, including Joe Harroz and athletic director Joe Castiglione. The two certainly weren’t expecting a coaching search of their own. Still, Castiglione said Monday that he did have a list of candidates prepared as a measure of caution.

One such candidate is Clemson defensive coordinator and associate head coach Brent Venables. He held the same position for the Sooners from 2004-11. First-year South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, who served on the Oklahoma staff from 2018-20, is another name that has been mentioned.

There’s also been some love for legendary Sooners quarterback Josh Heupel, the current coach at Tennessee. Heupel was the Heisman runner-up in 2000, the same year he led Oklahoma to an undefeated season and national championship. He developed a reputation as an offensive mastermind in three years with UCF before taking over the Volunteers.

Safe to say, the Sooners won’t be lacking for coaches they can call.

“This job is gonna attract the very best in the coaching world and they’re already lined up and called,” Stoops said. “This is a real job. This is a great job and a great university with great leadership.”